Clemson's Beasley helps seal win with crucial fumble return

Saturday

Oct 12, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 13, 2013 at 12:25 AM

The defensive end's old-school effort was rewarded with a ceremonial leather helmet

By ERIC BOYNTONeric.boynton@shj.com

CLEMSON — Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley proudly sported his new headgear with immense pride as he emerged from Saturday’s postgame locker room with a wide grin after his team’s 24-14 victory.The junior, who has quickly become one of the nation’s most dominant linemen, took it old-school in wearing the leather helmet with ear-flaps and big orange stripe across the top awarded for the sixth year to the MVP of the Clemson vs. Boston College game.“I plan on wearing this against Florida State,” Beasley quipped of the old-style helmet. As rapidly as he’s been bypassing offensive lineman on his way to opposing quarterbacks, he could probably do it without incurring too much damage.With Clemson’s offense unable to produce its normal bushel of points, the defense came through big-time, especially in the fourth quarter when it mattered most. Defensive coordinator Brent Venable sidestepped giving his unit the bulk of the praise, but was still pleased with the effort.“I’m not trying to be evasive, but I just think (the offense and defense) complement each other. We’ve got guys playing in a relentless manner covering up for some mistakes and some deficiencies we might have and when you play with that passion, toughness and resolve good things will happen.“We try to coach our guys that adversity is inevitably going to come, it’s going to happen and you have to thrive in that moment when your back is against the wall and have to make a play.”The biggest moment arrived right after Clemson had taken a 17-14 lead in the opening moments of the fourth quarter before Boston College got the ball back. On third-and-8 from his own 27, quarterback Chase Rettig was sacked and stripped by blitzing linebacker Tony Steward, enabling Beasley to scoop and score his first collegiate touchdown from 13 yards out.“When I saw the ball (loose) I thought, ‘Man, yes,’ ” Beasley said. “I was waiting for this moment my whole career and it was my turn I guess. The touchdown gave us a lot of momentum.”It was the first career sack for Steward, who has never been able to live up to the tremendous hype he received as a heralded recruit.“It shows our depth there at linebacker and he’s a quality player who has earned that right to be out there,” Venables said. “He was there at the right moment and executed really well. He was ready to seize the moment and make a special play.”Clemson’s entire defense was special in holding Andre Williams, the nation’s leading rusher at 153.6 yards per game (on 5.8 per carry), to only 70 yards on 24 rushes (an average of 2.9). B.C. totaled 286 yards overall.“We knew it could be done, that he’s a really good back but that we could stop him,” Clemson lineman Grady Jarrett said. “We tried to hit him and get hats to him and we did a good job of that.”The Tigers saved their best for last with the outcome still very much in doubt, never allowing the Eagles into their territory on four fourth-quarter possessions in which B.C. mustered 15 yards of offense and went 1 for 6 on third- and fourth-down conversions.The Tigers entered leading the nation in sacks per game at 3.8 and added four more, including one by Beasley among his five tackles to increase his total to nine.“Our defensive front made a big statement,” Beasley said. “We hear a lot about our offense, but we want to be the strength of the team.”